E 635 
i.U569 
'Copy 1 



INFORM^TIOjST J^ 

FOB ■.*^^ 

A liMY MEETINGS. 



In many places the fourth Sabbath eveDJng of the month is devoted to a 
TTnion Monthly Concert of Prayer for the Army and Na.y. The deepest inter- 
est has be^n e:.c,t.d by these meetings. It is hutnbly suggested to all who 
beheve in the power of prayer, to form «uch meetings during the cri.sis of our 
mt,on s destiny. This tract is compiled with the view of affording informs 
lion for these Army Meetings- Please circulate it. 



DECEMBER, 1864, 



ansaai^'''^''''^] 



OFFICERS. 

GEORGE H. STUART, Esq., Chairman. 

JOSEPH PATTERS0:N^ Esq., Treasurer, 

Rev. W. E. BOARDMAN, Sccretart/. 

Rev. LEMUEL MOSS, Secretary/ If g me Organization. 

Rev. BERNICE D. AMES, Secretary Field Organization. 



GEO. H STUART, Esq., Philadelphia 
Rev. Bishop E. S. JANES, D D., N Y 
C. DEMOND, Esq , Boston. Mass. 
'^72i!;^^^^^'^' *^«q- Philadelphia. 
JAY COOKE. Esq , Philadelphia. 
JOSEPH PATTKKSON. Esq., Philad'a. 
Rev. Bishop M. SIMPSO.N. D.J)., Phila. 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



STEPHEN COLWELL, Esq., Phllada, 
WILLIAM E. DODGE, Esq., New York, 
Rev. HEM AN DYER, D. D., New York 
W.S. GRIFFITHS. Esq , Brooklyn, N.Y, 
G, S.GIIIEFITHS, Esq., Baltimore, Md. 
H G. JO.N'E^, Esq., Philadelphia. 
Rev. W. E. BOARDM AN, Ex. Off., Phila, 



PEINIED BT AiFRliD MARTIE.N, 619 A.NJ> 6;il JAYNB 61,, PHILADELPHIA. 



DIRECTORY. 

PirtTiAnKLrillA.— Letters to T^ev. W. E. BoarrliiiHii. ICev. Umiiel Mow. or 
. Kev Btiiii'e D. Anu-s. 11 H;uik Street; nioiiey to .l.)Sf)ih I'atterson. at the 

Westviii r.iiiik; stores to Cior^'e II. Stu;irt, ll Uaiik 5<tivet 
ALBANY, N. Y. — Supplies to Thos. W. Olcott; Letler.s to Levi Dedrick; money 

to \\'\a. MdChoy. 
BALTIMOUK — LutttMsto Kev.J. N.Mc.lilton,D. D.; money to Kev. Q. P. Haya; 

.v-torcs to (.!. S. Griflith, 89 & 91 West Italtimore street. 
KANfiOK, ME— Letters, money xnd sniipliestoT. G. fc^tiitkney. 
r.ATIl. MK — Stores to Chiirles Dousrlass; money to S H. I'liliuer. 
liOSTON. — Letters to C Deuioncl, 91 >Va>hi;i.ston Street; money to Joseph 

.Storev. ll-Tremont Street; stores to L I*. ll'<\vl»iul, Jr , Tremont Ten<ple. 
li){OOKLYN, L I —Letters to I!ev. J. B. Wuterbury, D. T) ; supj.lies to W. 3. 

Griniili. mid money to Samuel B Ci>l.l\veil. Rv^ouis Hi Court fitreet. 
BUFFALO. N.Y.— Letters to Ker. S Hunt; in-.;ney to F. Gridley; supplies U> 

J. D. Hill, M. D. Commis.siou r.ooiii,> at 41 1'enrl St. 
CIllCAfiO.— l/etters to B F. .lacolis, 1'. 0. Jiox TiS'il; money to S. P. Farring- 

ton ; stores to Cliristian Couiiuissioii, 1U9 S. Olarlie Street. 
CINCINNATI. — Letters to Bev. J. F. Warlay; money and sui)plie8 to A. E. 

Chamberlain, 51 Vine Street. 
CLKVKLAN'D, 0— Letters to L. F. Mel len; money to S. H. Mather; supplies 

to Stillman Witt. 
DETROIT. MICH.— Stores to Francis UaymondJoO .Tefferson Avenue; Lettera 

to C. F.Clarke, Secretary; money to E. C. Walker. 
FIIKDWUICK. MD. — Letters, uioney uud supplies to Gideon Bants. 
I1A(JEUST0WN, MD. — Letters, money and supplies to Kev. J. Evans. 
HaUTFOKD: Connecticid Branch. — Letters to l\ev 11. Powers; money to A. 

G. Hammond, E.\chiin<;e Bank; supplies to Booms of Ladies' Soldiers' Aid 

Society. 87 Asylum Street. 
HAUHI.»-BUKG, I'A. — Le'ters, monej' and supplies to Rev. T. H Robinson. 
INDIAN AWLIS. IND— Letters to C. N.Todd; moueyto James M.Ray; sup- 

plies to (i. W Clippinger. 
LAMBERTVILLE. N. J. — Letters, money, and supplies to J. A. Anderson. 
LOUISVILLE, K\'. — Letters, money and supplies to J. Eaward Hardy, care 

of J G Dodp;e & Co., 3"25 Main Street. 
MILWAUKEE, WIS.— Letters to D. W.Perkins; money to .lohn A Dutcher; 

stores to Walter S. Carter, care Dutcher, ball & Goodrich, h''6 E. Water St. 
NEW YORK.— Letters and supplies to Dr. N. Bishop. Rooms U. S. C. C, 30 

Bible House; money to James M. Brown, 59 Wall Street 
PEORIA, ILL — Money toTheo. Iligbee; lettersandsuppiies to Wm. Reynolds. 

Rooms 10 South Adams street(up stairs.) 
PITTSBURG, PA.— Letters to Robert C Totten ; money to Wm. Frew (of .Taa. 

.McCu.ly & Co ), 172 Wood St ; stores to Wm. P. Weyman, 76 Smithtield St. 
PORTLAND. ME.— Letters and supplies to Thomas R. Hayes, 110 Middle St.; 

monev to Cyrus Sturdivant, 90 Commercial Street. 
PORTLAND, OREGON.— W. S Ladd, Treasurer; of firm of Ladd & Tilton. 

Letters to Rev. G. H. Atkinson. 
PROVIDENCE, R.I.— Money to J.W. Vernop ; lettersand supplier to W. J. King, 
ROCHESTER, N. Y. — Letters, money and supplies to Oliver D. Grosvenor. 
SACRAMENTO, CAL.— Letters to Rev. J. S. McDonald; money to Dr. R. H. 

McDonald; supplies to Kev. N. R. Peck. 
ST. LOUIS— Letters to J. H. Parsons; money to Edwin Ticknor ; supplies to 

Isaac S. Smith, Christian Commis ion Olfioe. under Liudell Hotel 
ST. PAUL, MINN.— Letters to U. M. Kn)x; money to D. D. Merrill; sup- 

plies to D. W. Ingersoll. 
SAN FRANCISCO.— Letters to Rev E.Thomas, 711 Mission Street: money to 

P. Sather. (Sather «fe Co.); supplies to J. B Roberts, 216 California St. 
TROY, N. Y — Lertersand monev to F. i'. Allen; supplies to J H. Willard. 
UTICA. N Y —Central New York- Branch —Money to R. S. Williams ((.'ashier 

Oneida Bank), Treasurer, 157 Genesee Street; letters and supplies to KeT. 

D. W. Bristol, D. D.. Secretary and Agent. '62 Genesee Street 
VIRGINIA. NEV — lietlers and money to Rev. Franklin Risin<;. 
WASHINGTON, D. C— Letters, money and supplies to William Ballantyne, 

498 Seventh Street; or Kev. J. .1. Abbt)tt, .'JOO H Street. 
WUEJ'.LING, W. V. — Leliers, money and supplies to R. Craugle. 



I X F O E M A T I O N" 

FOR 

DECEMBER MEETIA^GS 



Site (Siilf W^mimml 

This department and the whole line of seaboard from 
New York to Fort Vancouver, a range of 21,856 miles, 
with all our ships of war and foreign stations, is under 
the care of the New York Branch. The difficulty of 
extending the work of the Christian Commission along 
such an extent of territory, in such an unhealthy cli- 
mate as the Gulf Coast, and with irregular means of 
transportation, could only have been surmounted by the 
energy, skill, and perseverance of the gentlemen who 
have taken it in charge. Holding the highest positions, 
civic, commercial, social, and literary, they have relin- 
quished lucrative and honorable positions to endure the 
dangers of the sea and the hardships of the field, brave 
the miasma and yellow fever, and fag at the less romantic 
but no less necessary drudgery of the office, to the year's 
end. 

The work of the New York Branch during the year 
1863 was chiefly in the supply of preaching and reading. 
A gentleman of leisure and high literary and religious 
attainments, devoted himself to the work of selecting and 
compiling soldiers' reading-matter; and it is believed 
1 



that the books and tracts farnislied to the libraries and 
reading-rooms of the hospitals and ships of war by the 
New York Committee cannot be excelled. Tons of mag- 
azines and of the metropolitan papers are continually in 
process of shipment; and correspondence with chaplains, 
surgeons, and commanders is daily increasing the 
demand. 

The Christly department, of relief for suffering hu- 
manity has, during the present year, assumed increasing 
proportions. The prevention of disease, by the circula- 
tion of tens of thousands of Manuals of Soldier's Health, 
and the distribution of hogsheads of Blackberry Syrup, 
has been of even greater benefit to our soldiers than the 
tons of fruit and the cases of clothing distributed to the 
sick and wounded, and the exchanged prisoners. The 
outlay of the New York Committee is increasing accord- 
ingly, and we doubt not that the princely generosity of 
the Great Metropolis will be fully adequate to all proper 
demands for the relief of our brave defenders. 

The Brooklyn Branch is an independent organization, 
and is forwarding delegates, publications, and hospital 
stores, at a rate worthy of the third city of the Union. 

The following letters to Hon. J. V. C. Smith, the Field 
Agent of the New York Branch, illustrate the work of 
its delegates.. 



MoRGANziA, October 26, 1864. 
Hon. J. V. C Smith: 

Dear Sir — The three barrels of reading and hospital 
stores you last sent, came in good time and order. T 
have now a supply for some days to come. The men 



are "busy scouting, preparing for winter quarters — witli 
nimors of changes. The sanitary supplies* go well. The 
tent is doing good service. Besides affording fecilities 
for distribution, it is used for a Bible-class on Sabbath 
morning, preaching in the evening, and prayer-meeting 
each' evening in the week — all of which are well attended. 
I have often wished you could be present in our meet- 
ings, and mark the spirit of devotion and good sense 
manifested. The meeting last evening was of groat 
sweetness and power. One testified that he found the 
grace of God at Morgan zia; another had been an igno- 
rant Roman Catholic, but was brought marvellously to 
the experience of the gospel. I design to write, some 
day, on "Religion in the Army," as it has fallen under 
my own observation. 

Rev. Mr. Watson spent two weeks with me; and by 
his ability and readiness to work, made a decidedly 
favorable impression, and left, much to the regret of all. 
I doubt not he will do excellent service at Baton Rouge. 
I hear also good reports from Rev. Mr. Whittier Such 
men are an acquisition to the Commission Unless we 
have great military changes, I shall need about the usual 
supply. I have the commencement of a good Circulat- 
ing Library; please send me all the books you can spare, 
without doing injustice to others. There are G^erman 
books in your reading-room; please send some of them. 
I do not get an adequate supply of German reading. 
Some regiments are largely composed of Germans — great 
readers. 

The colored soldiers are anxious to learn, and must 

* The fruits, syrups, Ac, sent by the Christian Commission. 



have books adapted to their capacity. Writing material 
is in great demand.' I would respectfully recommend, if 
you have none on hand, to buy some. It is hard for a 
soldier, who has not been paid for six months, not to be 
able to write his mother a letter, for want of a sheet of 
paper and envelopes. Many such are here. 

In a word, hardly anything comes amiss, in an army 
like this. 

Grrateful for the promptness with which you have 
always sent supplies, I have the honor to be 
Your obedient servant, 

H. C. Dunham. 

New Orleans, Oct. 31, 1864. 

Dr. J. V. C. Smith, Agent, 

U. S. Christian Commission: 

Sir — I have the honor to report my work for the 
months of September and October, as follows: During 
September the Sabbath* services were kept up at the 
Military Prison, Naval Hospital, Wood's Press, and Sol- 
dier's Home, with occasional services on shipboard and 
at camps. Packages of reading were distributed at other 
prisons and depot of troops. Sixteen public religious 
services were held. The Prisoners' Commission has 
occupied a large part of my time. Many cases of inter- 
est come before us. Letters enclosed indicate the kind 
of work done. 

The interest at the Soldier's Home and in our Reading- 
room has decreased, because of the small force of troops 
here, and greater strictness in keeping them in quarters. 
Only eighty-three visitors to the rooms are recorded; 
but quite a number of calls for books — thirty taken out. 



I have received ninety letters, and written twenty-seven. 
During Mie montli of October I was enabled to devote 
more time to the distribution of reading matter, as the 
Prisoners' Commission closed its labors, and turned over 
its busings to the Provost Marshal General, on the 15th. 
The same Sabbath various labors were performed, the 
camps were supplied, and considerable time occupied in 
attending to business of the Depository. 

Eevival. 

In several camps, religious meetings have been held 
The Second Connecticut Battery is enjoying quite a 
revival. Several soldiers have recently professed con- 
version, at the Baptist church. A number of young 
soldiers have started there for heaven; and the prayer- 
meetings are growing in interest. 

Another lot of our exchanged prisoners came in a few 

days ago from Tyler, Texas. It was pleasant to go among 

them, and give papers, Testaments, letter-paper, &c. 

Many of them were enfeebled by confinement and poor 

fare, and all were happy in being again under the old 

flag. 

The Buried Flag. 

This reminds me of a flag I saw in their camp. It 

was captured with them, but concealed by burial in the 

earth, and brought away in the lining of an officer's coat. 

This piece of bunting is highly Valued by the brave men 

of the Forty-eighth Ohio. 

Intercession. 
During the month I was able to do some kindness at 
one time to the soldiers in jail, most of whom had, for a 
1* 



6 

disturbance, been shut up for ten days and nights within 
their cells. The trouble was caused by their being kept, 
on two occasions, for ' nearly twenty-four hours, without 
food. The Provost Marshal granted my request for their 
release from close confinement. At another time, on my 
representations, the Provost Marshal General released 
from close confinement some sixty prisoners, allowing 
them the air and light needful for health, and consistent 
with safety. I was also granted the pardon of several 
poor fellows, who appeared worthy of clemency — one a 
boy, sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, and who was 
so ill as not to be expected to live as many days, when 
released. 

Welcome Always. 
I have given out 69 packages of reading, being 7533 
publications — of which number there were 205 Hymns, 
186 Testaments, and 8 Bibles. My labors in the Prison, 
the Hospital, the Home, and camps, are full of encour- 
agement. They are well received always; and in the 
course of a month, because of the shifting of troops, and 
changing of the men in prison and hospitals, many 
thousands are addressed — often for the first or last 
time — and supplied with something good to read. There 
is every reason to believe that God's rich blessing attends 
this work. 

October. — Fifty-five visitors to Reading-room; twenty 
books taken; six names to Temperance pledge. 
Very respectfully, 

K. K. DiossY, Delegate. 



The Happiest Ilours of Life. 
Ttis work, of meeting trains and succoring wounded 
at Martinsburg,- we have found "hard for the body, being- 
obliged, as we often have been, to continue it far into 
tlie night. At the same time we can truly say, it is a 
blessed work, truly Christ-like. And you often find 
where least you expect it, that you have been minister- 
ing to Christ in the person of his humble followers. "Is 
the Heavenly Friend near you to support and comfort 
you?" I asked a poor suifering man, who had just been 
brought into the church, with his leg amputated, and 
laid upon a hard bed of straw. "0, yes," said he, "he is 
with me, he is precious to me. He has been for many 
years, but never has he seemed so precious and so near 
as since I was wounded. All day and all night I lay 
upon the field, after I was struck and my leg fractured, 
but, strange as it may seem, they were the happiest hours 
of my life, made so by the Saviour's presence." "What 
shall I write to your family ?" " Tell my dear wife, I am 
happy, I am just where I would be, because I am just 
where God, in his providence, has brought me. I am 
willing to die or live, just as will best promote his glory." 
He was soon called to glorify Grod in his death. 

No Humbug'. 
We have not only had repeated opportunities of wit- 
nessing such triumphs of the power of faith and grace, 
but we have also witnessed the power of Christian kind- 
ness upon strong, hard men, and even upon Rebels. As 
we have ministered to thejr temporal wants, and ad- 



8 

dressed to tliem words of kindness, we have often seen 
tears start from eyes unaccustomed to weep, and have 
received the hearty "God bless you," "God bless the 
Christian Commission." "This is what I call living 
Christianity." "This is the religion for me." "I can't 
stand this," said a rough, hard-looking soldier, who was 
badly wounded in the foot, but able to hobble along on 
crutches, "I can't stand this, boys, it overcomes iiie, I 
give in," and, as he spoke and hobbled toward us, his 
whole frame shook with inward emotion, and the big 
tears fell from his sunburnt face, which he struggled in 
vain to keep back and hide from his comrades, "you 
know," he continued, "I am no coward, I can face the 
enemy, and not^wink, but this kindness kills me, it 
breaks me all to pieces. I have heard all about these 
men, delegates of the Christian Commission; my wife has 
written me about them, and the society which sends 
them forth, and the work they do, and do it all for 
nothing, and find themselves. I tell you, boys, this is 
no humbug. It is a big thing. It is the gospel for 
body and soul, just what we all need;" and so he went 
on with a truly eloquent speech, of some minutes, and 
closed by wishing a thousand blessings upon us and the 

Christian Commission. 

P. B. Thayer, Garland^ Me. 

The Eevival. 

Camp Parole, Annatolis, Md. 
October 20, 1864. 
G. S. Griffith, Esq., Chairman Maryland Com. Christ'n Com'n. 

Dear Brother: — The good work of God has not yet 
ceased, though about one hundred and fifty, if not nearly 



two hundred persons have been converted and recovered 
from backsliding — thirtj-five of them having been bap- 
tized, nearly one-half of them by immersion — one hun- 
dred and sixty-five have joined our Soldiers' Christian 
Association since September 6th, and Christians, con- 
verts, and reclaimed, have for the most part grown won- 
derfully in grace, holy joy, and usefulness. The latter, 
according to David in Psalm li. 12th and 13th, "Heturn 
unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy 
free spirit; then will I teach transgressors thy way, and 
sinners shall be converted unto thee." 

O how these Christian soldiers have prayed aaid 
wrought for Christ; I hardly ever witnessed more fer- 
vent, effectual prayers — they availed much with God. 
It would sometimes seem almost as if heaven would be 
taken by violence. Some of them have been very fliith- 
ful in personal effort with sinners and backsliders, and 
oh, how many of the latter there are in the army. Older 
Christians and young converts have been successful in 
bringing out the impenitent and wandering to our even- 
ing meetings. It would do your heart good now, more 
than when you and Dr. Schaff, of New York, were here 
the 6th inst., to hear the Christians reclaimed and con- 
verts pray and talk in our meetings. 

A growth in grace, holy joy and power with God is 
manifest to all those who have been there for weeks. 
The remark was made the other day that converts and 
recovered sinners were scarcely ever known to have 
stood better and to have ripened in experience more 
rapidly and extensively than those of this soldiers' camp. 
Last evening quite a number spoke, in the hearing 



10 

of Rev Mr. Gilbert, General Agent of the American 
Eiblc Society, and of the Christian Commission, who was 
buvprised and delighted with what he saw and heard. 
This evening some seventy-five persons arose to manifest 
their purpose to pray and labor yet more than they have 
done hitherto, for the continuance and greater power of 
this work of God, as they believe God has no thought of 
stopping it, so they have no idea of being weary in this 
well-doing. ho\^ I do love these brethren of Jesus 
and rejoice in my labors here. I am in my element. 
Bless the Lord that I was sent here. Thanks to you for 
favoring me with this position. Some few incidents 
may interest you. At a meeting a young man arose and 
said, "That only two hours before he came to the meet- 
ing he used profane language; convicted in this meeting, 
he gave himself up to God, and seemed to have the peace 
of pardon." Others said, "that their sins were forgiven 
at the meeting mentioned." Another soldier said at a 
meeting: "Last night, after all were in bed and still, I, 
burdened for sinners, knelt down alone to pray for them 
— my soul went up in agonizing prayer to God. A sin- 
ner came along hearing cries as of those in distress, and 
first with an oath, asked the cause of a man lying down 
there. He soon learned. I talked with him about his 
goul — }iQ dropped on his knees by ray side, and with tears, 
begged me to pray for him, and promised to attend to 
the salvation of his soul." This beloved brother, Vice- 
j^residcnt ot the Soldiers' Christian Association, now 
L^one from us, and in a hospital in Baltimore, was an 
efficient worker, as well as a man of prevalence in prayer ; 
we afe sorry to lose such. how they do regret to 



11 

leave Camp Parole. Said a converted backslider, " I do 
regret to leave tliis camp and these meetings. Here I 
was reclaimed. I left home a wicked man, though in 
early life for three years in the enjoyment of religion, as 
I then supposed. I have a pious praying wife, and long 
to see her, and make her glad by the change God has 
wrought in me; but I am sorry to leave these meetings, 
and to leave you, Mr. Colton. I remember the pleasant 
look with which you first accosted me in my quarters. I 
remember the instructions since received; I am perfectly 
happy in Grod now. how much to be thankful for. 
How can I leave?'' This and more he said, as he took 
his leave the other night, with tears. He spoke both 
publicly and to me at the close of the meeting. 0, Mr. 
-Griffith, my heart is enlarged; when shall I stop? I 
have many more like records in my note-book. Enough 
now; more another time. 

Yours in the Lord, 

Erastus Colton, 

Agent U. S. Christian Commission, Camp Parole. 



12 



givmir of ihe ^oiomat* 

The Kevival at Camp Distribution. 
At this Camp tlie preaching the blessed Gospel has had, 
and is having, a gloriously telling effect upon the hearts 
of the soldiers. I have seen scores, and on one occasion 
nearly a hundred, rise at once, requesting an interest in 
the prayers of God's people. Nearly every day soula 
were born into the kingdorn of Jesus. I have seen 
from fifteen to twenty at a time bowing at our altars 
and crying for mercy. Nor were they feeble and inau- 
dible cries, but like the publican, " God be merciful to 
me a sinner," " Lord save me ;" thus evincing a degree 
of earnestness which led us to believe that the work was 
not superficial, but one that went to the depths of the 
soul. And what was still more convincing in this re- 
gard, I have heard them, after having found the Saviour, 
testify from their own experience that Christ had power 
on earth to forgive sin. 

A Protracted Meeting. 
At an experience meeting, a soldier in speaking of the 
protracted efforts the Commission was putting forth for 
the salvation of those in arms said, " This is the longest 
protracted meeting I ever attended in my life. I have 
been in this camp ten weeks, and I have not missed a 
single meeting, I wish it would continue always, and it 
would be my blessed privilege to go from these meetings 
to a glorious meeting in heaven." Another soldier, one 
to whom I had the privilege of presenting the truth of 



13 

God, and of inviting him to accept of salvation in Jesiw 
Christ while a sinner, said : " One week ago I came into 
this camp a wild, wicked, hardened sinner. I came into 
the meeting on Sunday evening, and I was invited for- 
ward for prayer, I did not heed the invitation. The 
next evening I went again, and was again invited. I 
accepted the invitation, prostrated myself at the altar, 
and^ there God for Christ sake forgave me my sin.s." 

Your delegate, in submitting the above statistical 
statement of his work while in the service of your Cora- 
mission, has to add his testimony to that delivered by 
hundreds of others, to the great field for the effecting of 
temporal and spiritual benefit to the soldier open to the 
Christian Commission, and to the good which, under 
God's blessing, its agents have been enabled to achieve. 
Very noticeable, too, is the welcome given in every tent 
to the delegate, the respectful and thankful attention with 
which his ministrations— whether of counsel, warning or 
reproof— are received ; the gratitude evoked by even the 
smallest office of kindness, and the entire "confidence 
reposed in every one who wears the Commission's badge. 

Ears to Hear. 
I think T may say that, during a ministry of fourteen 
years, I have never labored where there was so earnest 
attention to spiritual truth, and so seemingly earnest a 
desire to profit by it, as in that City Point hospital. 

Rev. J. Cordon Carnahan. 

The Power of the Spirit of God. 
While at Camp Distribution my work was devoted 
wholly to the welfare of the soul. Onr meetings there 
i2 



14 

were attended witli great interest. Our eliapel, capable 
of seating about one thousand men, was often filled to the 
utmost of its capacity. The Spirit of God was present 
with us, and at the close of the sermon sometimes as ■ 
many as fifty would rise for prayers. We usually fol- 
lowed the preaching service with a prayer-meeting, in- 
viting the inquiring ones to come forward for religious 
conversation and prayer. Not un frequently twentj^-five 
of these brave men would come forward, and in tears 
acknowledge the'ir sinfulness, while they sought to cast 
themselves on the mercy of Christ. The power of the 
Almighty was felt. The gracious Spirit was doing His 
work. 

The Soldiers Praying- for us. 

Our prayer-meetings were among the most interesting 
of my life. Such earnestness, and such devotedness, and 
such strong faith, we seldom see manifested at home. I 
have never heard such prayers offered for loved ones and 
for churches at home as these soldiers offer. A husband 
prays for an absent wife and children ; a young lad prays 
in such child-like faith and confidence for a mother and 
sisters at home, that you almost feel that you yourself 
have never prayed at all. These are earnest men. 

i 
Prayer with a Sonl in it. 

They have seen suffering and endured hardship, and 
mellowed down by the severities of war they speak what 
they feel. Their language has a soul in it, and it finds 
a soul in the hearer, unless he has encased it in a cage 
of steel. 



15 

Love to the Brethren. 
The apostle says, " by this shall ye know that ye have 
passed from death unto life, because ye love the bre- 
thren," and I have never seen a livelier test of this than a 
colored soldier gave at the close of one of our evenino- 
meetings. There was a simplicity in his expression 
which touched all our hearts, and he closed his remarks 
by saying, in a most impressive manner, "I love my 
Saviour, I love the Church of Christ, I love the world, I 
love everybody, I love them that don't Jove me." And 
he sat down. I felt that that poor son of Africa had 
reached the climax in Christian experience. Like the 
martyred Stephen, and his Saviour before him, he loved 
his enemies, and he could pray for his masters who had 
despitefully used him. 

Swift to Hear. 

One of the most gratifying features of the army is the 
readiness v/ith which they receive religious instruction. 
The demand for Christian laborers is vastly greater than 
the supply. The Macedonian cry from the^ adjacent 
forts reached our ears, "Come over and help us." And 
though some of our delegates preached as many as four 
times on the Sabbath, still we could not satisfy the 
demand. 

Bich Experience for Ministers. 

No minister can have a richer experience than the 
army affords, and none probably can find a field of 
greater usefulness. The church which sends out its 
pastor will receive a blessing for it, and if he carries a 
warm heart, filled with the Spirit of Christ, he may be 



16 

the means of a rejoicing in camp whicli shall cause joy 

in heaven. 

M. L. Severance, 

Boscaweji, N. H. 

The Eevival in the 18tli Corps. 
Another feature, and to my mind the most important 
one in results, is the public means of grace. Last Sun- 
day night, upward of fifteen men arose and signified 
their desire to flee the wrath to come, and be saved from 
their sins. We held one of the most interesting prayer- 
meetings last Saturday evening that I ever attended. 
There was a sweet and heavenly influence resting down 
upon the assembly, and we could say with Peter, "Lord, 
it is good for us to be here.^' 

Report of M. S. Wells, Delegate. 

Many have been converted in the 18th Army Corps, 
of late, and are going forth rejoicing in the Lord. And 
now as the 10th Army Corps has taken the place of the 
18th, the same blessed influences continue, and we shall 
look for Ijie continuation of the same blessed results. 

Our distribution of reading matter among the sick 
wards has a salutary benefit. Men read, and forget their 
aches and pains, and thus avoid low-spiritedness — they 
are less discontented. In short, it is a decided sanitary 
department, for which we have a very comfortable supply 
as we need them. 

I am, Sir, very happy and contented in my work, and 
hope to render myself both useful to the soldier and the 
Commission that has committed such a trust to my 
bands. 



17 

But I must close. There is a very healthy state of 
things in the various departments of the Commission 
here, and we expect to find the records at last show a 
glorious harvest of souls for the Redeemer. May the 
blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon the United 
States Christian Commission is my humble prayer. 
Kespectfully yours, 

M. S. Wells. 

For Ministers. 

I have nothing to report which differs essentially from 
the many reports which I have read of Delegates of the 
Christian Commission. The work exceeded in power to 
interest my whole spiritual nature, any experience of my 
life. My work commenced the day before I received my 
commission, at Boston, while on the cars to and from the 
city, and did not cease until I delivered a soldier boy to 
his mother, in my town, five minutes before reaching 
my home. He is on furlough. 

The fulness of the work is truly wonderful. On every 
hand, in every hour of the day, travelling or sitting, 
there is abundant opportunity to bless soldiers ; and the 
fulness of the blessing flows back into one's own heart. 

My people were greatly benefitted by my absence; and 
if they had not been, I think I have been enough better 
man for going, to make it policy for them to send me 
again. 

Truly yours, 

E. DOUGASS, 

Bridgewater, Mass, 

2* 



18 



Special Diet Kitchen Bill of Fare. 



Soup — Mutton, 

Beef, 

Chicken, 
Fish— Cod, 
Meats, 
Chickens, 
Baked Apples, 
Potatoes — Boast, 
Bread and Butter, 
Corn Bread, 
Biscuit, 
Toast— Dry, 

Butter, 
Milk, 
Eggs — Boiled, 

Poached, 



Pudding — Bread, 
Rice, 
Tapioca, 
Corn Starch, 
Farina, 
Blanc Mange, 
Custard — Boiled, 
Baked, 
Fruits, 
Jellies, 
Jams, 
Preserves, 
Tea, 
Cocoa, 
Gruel, 
Tomatoes. 



Blackberry Cordial. 

Again as I passed the rounds with the blackberry 
cordial and heard such expressions as these : " Not any 
more, Chaplain, your medicine has cured my diarrhoea, I 
should never have got well without it. God bless the 
Christian Commission." " Chaplain, give me some 
of that medicine, I have heard of it at the front as good 
for me, by those who have been cured by it," and then 
the hearty " thank you." I am fully persuaded that this 
branch of the work is of great value to the men. The 
cordial is a valuable donation to the stores of the Com- 



19 

mission especially during tlie summer and fall; and 
receives the strongest commendation from the Surgeon 
in charge of our hospital and his assistants. 

Wm. M. Eobinson. 

A Feacli. 

Andover Theological SEjriNARr. 
I never dreamed that so much good could be accom- 
plished by such simple means. A basket of peaches 
would give joy to a hundred wounded men. I shall 

never forget the case of William C , a Pennsylvania 

soldier, who had undergone amputation of the right 
thigh, and was suffering the utmost intensity of human 
anguish. He was sinking very rapidly, and had taken 
no nourishment for several days. When I first saw him, 
he seemed utterly hopeless of recovery. His wife had 
been summoned from home; but it was feared that he 
would die before it was possible for her to reach him, 
I took a nice peach from my basket; he brightened at 
the sight of it. I pared it for him, and put it in his 
mouth, bit by bit; and the look of gratitude which he 
gave me was ample reward for the whole six weeks' ser- 
vice. Next morning I went to his bedside, and said — • 
"What can I do for you this morning?'' With a smile 
he whispered, "Have you got another peach for me?" 
And so I repeated the operation of the previous morn- 
ing. For a whole week he lingered along, with no other 
nourishment than his morning peach, and the thought 
that there was some one who cared for him. Meanwhile 
his wife arrived, and cheered his last hours with words 
of Christian hope. He fell asleep in Jesus. 



20 



"You've Touched my Heart." 

Never was such a field presented for Christian labor. 
All seemed willing, and many anxious, to converse on 
religious subjects. I did not meet with a single rebuff 
during the whole term of my service. Often the mere 
mention of the subject of personal religion would cause 
deep emotion. 

I remember particularly a veteran soldier, whose 
three years had nearl^'^ expired, and who had been 
terribly wounded in the right knee. He was a Scotch- 
man, and had been a wild and reckless young man. After 
a cheerful chat of ten or fifteen minutes, I asked him — 
*'Are you a Christian man ?" He made no reply at first, 
but a tear started in each eye, and he was soon weeping 
and sobbing like a child, covering his face with his 
hands. At length he said, punctuating his sentences 
with sobs — "IVe been a soldier almost three years, and 
have never shed a tear before, in all my hardships and 
sufferings. You might cut me to pieces with knives, and 
not draw a tearj but you've touched my heart,- and I 
can't help it." 

He made me a promise never to drink another drop of 
liquor, and became from that day a seeker after Jesus. 
Yours, respectfully, 

Frank H. Snow. 

Rev. W. E. Boardman, 

Colored Schools. 
I also held an evening school among the colored young 
men, teamsters in the Commissary Department. I found 
great anxiety to learn to read almost universal among 



21 

them. If an evening scliool on a large scale could be 
opened among them, great good could be accomplished, 
as there are probably between two. and three thousand 
colored persons at or near City Point. 

S. S. Sutton. 

Brighton, Michigan. 

The Dying Soldier's Prayer. 

The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, were ended 
with the petition, "Let the whole earth be filled with his 
glory." The soldiers of David's army are not all dead 
yet. One went home last week, uttering a similar 
prayer. 

"Corporal Henry C. Smith died at Carver Hospital, 
July 20, 1864. He belonged to the 8th Michigan Regi- 
ment. He had his left arm amputated above the elbow, 
and was not naturally of the firmest health. He always 
greeted me with a smile, and spoke earnestly and heartily 
on religion; said lie was willing God's will should be 
done in him. A few hour's before his death he sent for 
Chaplain Parkes to come and pray with him. Mr. 
Parkes conversed with him, and then prayed with him. 
Then Smith prayed. After offering a petition to God 
for his own welfare, he prayed for President Lincoln, for 
the country, and that the cause of crushing the rebellion 
might be advanced and benefitted by his death." 

Yours, &c. 

Samuel G. Haley, 

East Andover, N. H. 



22 



(|[hnstiau (Eommissiau in Jirliausas^ 

Daily Prayer-Meeting. 

The rooms of the Christian Commission were opened 
in Little Rock Arkansas, on the first of February, 1864. 
A pleasant and commodious place having been procured 
in a conspicuous part of the city, we unfurled the "ban- 
ner," and commenced sounding the "Gospel Trumpet." 
For spiritual growth and Divine guidance in our mission 
of love, a daily prayer-meeting was immediately appointed 
as a proper and successful means. And here let me 
remark, that wherever the Commission has been estab- 
lished, the first act was to dedicate the spot to Almighty 
God, and earnestly seek his favour and direction. To 
accomplish proper and desirable results we must use pro- 
per and appointed means. 

Rooms. 

The building we have obtained is a large two-story 
dwelling-house, situated on the south-west corner of Main 
and Mulberry streets, which had just been leased to the 
Western Sanitary Commission, but, through the kindness 
of its agent, Gr. W. Wyeth, we were made welcome to 
one-half of it, and thus united under ^the same roof the 
two "Sisters of Charity." 

The locality is the best in the city for our business. 
But the condition of the rooms previous to being occu- 
pied by the Commission, was anything but inviting; 
resembling indeed a secesh boarding-house more than a 
dwelling for "white folks." But choosing appropriate 
tools, and "taking ofi" the coat and rolling up the sle^yes," 



23 

we began to seek out tlie bouridary lines of the floor, and 
then to make visible and satisfactory explorations of the 
walls. 

Having obtained some idea of the dimensions of the 
rooms, we erected two large book-cases for Testaments, 
''soldiers' books," hymn-books, tracts, &c.; obtained ano- 
ther large black-walnut one for a library, and arranged 
suitable shelves for religious papers, and literary maga- 
zines of miscellaneous reading. Ample accommodations 
were also made for writing, and two long file-desks put 
up for the leading secular and religious newspapers. 

But the object of the Christian Commission and its 
actual workings in other Departments, being almost en- 
tirely unknown to the greater portion of the army of this 
Department, it required much perseverance as well as 
patience, to get established and to procure the respect 
and encouragement of those with whom we have to do. 
But with the help of the "Grood Master,'' whose cause it 
is, we at first secured the favor of the commanding Grene- 
ral, and a lively and growing interest soon became mani- 
fest. At first, soldiers would come in, rather hesita- 
tingly, to inspect and to inquire the prices of things, 
and saying among themselves "that they allowed" it to 
be a sutler's shop or some "shebang" following the arm.y 
to keep "greenbacks from moulding." But a knowledge 
of the Commission at once commanded respect, and the 
growing interest may be seen by the following report. 

Work. 
Average number that visited the rooms, daily, for the 
following five months: February, twenty; March, forty- 



24 

fi'^e; April, ninety; May, one hundred and seventy-five; 
June, one hundred and forty. Average number that at- 
tended the daily prayer-meeting : February, seven; March, 
twelve; April, eighteen; May, fifty; June, forty-five. 
Beading matter distributed at this and the other military 
p-.sts,-viz: Fort Smith, Pine Bluff, and DuvalFs Bluff, 
during the first five months : Soldiers' books, 6,786; Tes- 
taments, 4,581; hymn-books, 2,713; magazines, 662; 
librar;y-books, 440; papers, 69,771; pages of tracts, 
229,528, the sum total distributed in June, being twelve 
times that of February. And, besides, we have distribu- 
ted a large number of Charts, Almanacs, Silent Com- 
forters, G-reen Pastures, Words of Life, Words for the 
Heart, &c., to hospitals, and Spelling-books, Bible- 
readers, copy-books, &c., to colored regiments. We have 
also issued to hospitals, shirts, sheets, pillow-slips, drawers, 
handkerchiefe and towels, and have put into the hands 
of the soldiers, when needy, many luxuries, consisting of 
dried, pickled and canned fruits, condensed beef, and 
milk, wines, cordials, jellies, jams, &c., &c. We have, 
during the time, held one hundred and eighty religious 
meetings, besides many short services at hospitals, and 
on funeral occasions; we have furnished stationary for 
the hospitals, and very many times have set down by the 
bedside of the sick and wounded, written out their 
requests and sent them to their dear ones at home ; talked 
with them of Jesus, and, if dying, commended them to 
Him in prayer, and forwarded the sad news to their 
fjimilies, all of which has brought many a smile as well 
as t«ar, and many an earnest " God bless you, and them 
that sent you." 



25 



Asleep in Jesas. 
Oil, could you have stood with me, the other morning, 
by the bedside of that dying soldier, who had sent for 
me to spend with him his last earthly moments, and 
heard him say, looking up so affectionately, '^ 0, my 
brother, will you sing to me that hymn that you sung 
the other day to my dying comrade, beginning 

"'Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep! 

From which none ever wake to weep'"? 

and then heard those grateful expressions, and seen that 
dying smile, you would have gone home saying, let us 
double our diligence. And he is but one of the many 
who have been comforted and made to rejoice through 
your Christian sympathy and benevolence. Blessed 
cause. Let it not suffer at home, and we who are in the 
field will faithfully watch and labor. 

C. C. Thayer, Local Agent. 

The Soldier's Motive. 

The character of our soldiers is hardly appreciated by 
our citizens. Ambition, the desire of glory, the rest- 
lessness of youth, revenge for injuries received from the 
barbarous slave powers and their minions, are believed 
to contribute their share towards the armies of our 
heroes, no less than a pure, patriotic love of country. 

The following letter will dispel this illusion. We 
lately heard it read at the meeting of the New York 
Central Branch of the United States Christian Commis- 
sion, in the presence of the writer's townsmen, in Utiea. 
Every eye was moistened. It was written the day before 
3 



26 

the writer reoeiyed his mortal wound. He now sleeps 
in Jesus. 

Fort Baker, October 20, 1S64. 
Dear Lottie — I found a small white envelope among 
the others that you put into my box before I came away 
from home, and I knew that Lottie put it there, because 
she wanted me to write to her. Well, it always does us 
good to please those that love us; and I am glad to think 
that my little girl would be pleased to have me write to 
her. It is a pleasant task for me; and the thought of 
good, loving children at home, who think of me every 
day — ^who for my sake are trying to be good to their 
mother, and make her happy, is a source of comfort, 
encouragement, and of consolation, that I cannot describe 
with my pen, nor tell with my tongue. How far this 
thought goes, or how much it contributes to reconcile 
me to the separation that, for their sakes, I have volun- 
tarily endured, you can never realize until like circum- 
stances call forth like feelings; and I earnestly pray that 
this may never be. I know that you do not now realize 
that I am here because I love you, and that you do not 
appreciate the necessity of my being here. But by-and- 
by, when you grow up, you will understand things better; 
and when you read in history, of this war, and of its 
causes and objects, you will be glad that your father left 
home when you were a little girl, and went forth to con- 
tend for the right. You will love me all the mere then, 
and so will all the rest of my children. This is the 
thought that encourages and consoles me; and then, 
beside this, the consciousness of none other than good 
and pure motives — and, above all, the consolation, from 



27 

day to day, that religion ajEFords me — all contribute to 
make me hap^Dy, even while the constant longing, linger- 
ing anxiety about my home and family, keeps them every 
moment in my thoughts. 

Try and be good, Lottie, if you love me, and want to 
do what you can to make me happy. Be good to your 
mother and grandmother, and brothers and sisters. Try 
to be good to the Lord, and then you will be happy your- 
self, and everybody will love you; and if I should never 
see you again on earth, we shall meet in heaven. I pray 
for you many times every day, and I want you to pray 
for yourself and me. Try to learn in your books; go to 
school, and Sunday-school always, when you can. Save 
this letter until you get old. Tell Harry I will write to 
him before long; and Freddy, that I mean to send him 
some pretty stones I have picked up for him. Kiss all 
the family for me, from grandma to the baby, and lova 
them all. God bless you. 

Father. 

Writing Home. 
The gratitude of surviving relatives for the letters and 
ministrations of the delegates, cannot easily be expressed. 
From a pile of letters of acknowledgments before us, 
we take, almost at random, the two following, as illus- 
trations. 

EoLLiNG Prairie, Laporte Co., 

Indiana, Dec. 2d, 1864. 
George H. Stuart. 

My Dear Brother — I had charge of the General 
Field Hospital, Chattanooga, Tennessee. I was sent for 
in haste to visit a noble young man in Ward D. As 



28 

soon as lie saw me, he said, "Chaplain, I am going to 
die, and be lost, unless something is done for me soon," 
and asked me to talk and pray with him. After the 
services with him were over, I exliorted the inhabitants 
of the tent to prepare for the solemn change, before 
reason was gone. He asked me to return in two hours. 
I did so; but, what a change. He met me with a 
smile. Said he, "Chaplain, it's all right now. I am 
the Lord's, and he is mine. I am now prepared to go 
whenever it is the Lord's will; but pray again, and sing 
for me." I did so, with different feelings than before, 
and sung 

"Sweet rivers of redeeming love 

Lie just before my eyes, 
Had I the pinions of a dove, 

I'd to those rivers rise." Ac. 

He praised God, though nearly gone. He passed ofi 
triumphantly, in ab )ut one hour and a half more. 
Very truly yours,' 

John E. Newhouse. 

Ipswich, Mass., July 8, 1864. 
Mr. John E. Newhouse, 

Dear Sir — We return to you our sincere thanks for 
the letter we received from you this morning. 

It gives us great comfort to know that the Lord Jesus 
"Was with our son during his last hours ; that He stood by 
him, and led him gently through the valley of the shadow 
of death. A comfort to us, also, while we are mourning 
our loss so bitterly, that we may meet him on the other 
Bide. 

For his sake we thank you for speaking with him, for 



29 

singing with liim; it must have done him so much good. 
Yes, he was a good boy. AVe all know it. No mother 
ever had a son more faithful than he — but this is for our 
country. God grant we may soon have peace, crowned 
with victory, which will put an end to these sad tidin^^s 
that every new day now brings to us. 

Yours very respectfully. 



New Glarcy, June 19, 1864. 
Bev. John T. Baird. 

Dear Sir: — It is with the greatest pleasure I 
acknowledge the receipt of a letter penned by you, for 
my poor weak and wounded son, but, to express my 
thanks and gratitude to you for so much kindness, will 
be impossible. I will, together with my wife, bear in mind 
to our graves, your angel act towards my boy, and for 
the few words of consolation administered to myself. I 
pray God will reward you for so much kindness, and if 
your family should in the providence of God need an 
act of humanity, it may be exuberantly bestowed. 

I have two sons in the army. Leonard is the oldest, 
Charles belongs to the 5th Wisconsin Battery. I sup- 
pose my poor wounded boy has told you all about that, 
it will therefore, be needless for me to repeat. I 
received a letter from him the same day I heard from 
Leonard through you, and thank God he came out with- 
out being hurt. At the time of his penning that letter, 
he knew nothing of his brother being wounded ; he says 
in his letter, " I seen the 22d Kegiment, but did not se« 
Leonard.'' I presume he knows it, by this time. 



30 

I have two good sons, and thank God for the gift. 
But I read that the Eternal God had an only Son, " a 
well-beloved Son," whom he delivered up to suffer the 
greatest indignity possible, and then die the ignominious 
death of the cross. Jesus' friends all deserted him. 
Not so with my son, God was with him and sent friends 
to administer to his wants." Surely these are mercies 
and should call forth our humble thanks. We repeat the 
words of the Son of God, and say with our whole heart 
*' Thy will be done," having the promise of God, that all 
things will work out for good, to them that love Him, 
and keep his commandments. 

I have faith to believe in all God's promises. I also 
believe that a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without 
His notice, that the hairs of our head are all numbered, 
that nothing can escape God's notice. All my hope is 
in Him concerning this war, and that we will be victori- 
ous at last. My unseen, I cannot say unknown, friend, 
you have been the good Samaritan to my poor boy in his 
time of need. What has been done for him has been done 
to me. But I am afraid I am tedious, I could not 
help it, you will forgive. God's blessing rest upon you 
and yours, while I remain 

Very respectfully yours. 

The Army a Fast Place. 
There is a large class of the soldiers who have been 
professors of religion at home, but have lost the lustre 
of their hope, with the loss of home privileges. Many 
and many a time I have heard the remark — "I had a 
hope, but the army is a poor place to brighten it." And 



SI 

among these men is one of the greatest works of the 
Commission. It carries personal sympathy to each Chris- 
tian, and thus brings Christians together in sympathy 
among themselves. Soldiers rarely sympathize together 
in their religious feelings, without some one to take the 
lead; and this is just what the Christian Commission 
does. And this is the reason why laborers here find 
more encouragement than at home. Their presence and 
influence satisfies a want that nothing else reaches; and, 
too, the progress of Christians is more manifest than at 
home where these outside influences are less rare. The 
army is a fa&t place. Soldiers morally travel the upward 
road, or the downward road — whichever they may have 
chosen — much faster than their friends at home. And as 
vice is spontaneous, while virtue needs culture, the work 
of the Christian Commission cannot be too widely spread, 
or too closely followed up. This is the testimony of offi- 
cers, high and low, who, without exception, treated u* 

with marked respect. 

Edward P. Wild, 

(Of Bangor Seminary) Brookfield, Vt. 



I 

The Wounded. 
Most of the time of my service acted as agent for the 
Commission, at Martinsburg, W. Va. Labored among the 
sick and wounded, as they were brought in from the 
front. They usually arrived there in the evening, after 
riding all day over the rough pike, in the common army 
wagons. We met them at the wagons, assisted in getting 



82 

them into the churches used as hospitals, and then sup- 
plied them with hot tea or coffee, and food ; assisted in 
dressing their wounds, &c. 

As they were kept here but for a short time, until they 
could be put upon the cars to be sent further east, no 
good accommodations had been prepared for them — not 
even arrangements to supply them promptly with rations 

and a delegate could feel, as he labored, that he was 

really dohig something to save suffering. 

IMany of them told us that they thought they could not 
have lived without our attention. We also assisted in fix- 
ino- them comfortably on the cars, and either furnishing 
them with food, or seeing that the Government officers 
did so. Never have I seen such immediate results from 
my efforts to do good, 



groolilp and loiijg Jslauit. 

The Brooklyn and Long Island Christian Commission 
was organized in March, 1864. Our object is to inter- 
est all the Christian Churches and people of Brooklyn 
and Lon"- Island in the most efficient cooperation practi- 
cable, with the United States Christian Commission and 
other Christian organizations, in supplying religious 
teachers and helpers, and religious and moral training to 
the army and navy, and to any others whom the events 
of the war may commit to our ministry. 
Six Months' Work. 

0.ur first six months' work includes the sending to the 
front over a hundred delegates, who have carried con- 



83 

solation and instruction to thousands in tho camp. TTiey 
have taken up the wounded from the battle-field — dress- 
ed their wounds, given them drink and nourishment — 
spoken to them words of cheer, prayed with, them, and 
directed them to the cross of Christ. They have sat 
down on the ground, and taken from their dying lips 
their last messages to transmit to their homes — have 
closed their eyes, and committed them, with prayers, to 
their last resting-place. No father or brother could have 
done more for them. The delegates have also held meet- 
ings for prayer and exhortation; and hundreds, we have 
reason to think, have been converted. The report of the 
good done can never be made out until the Judgment- 
day. Thousands of books, including Bibles, Testaments, 
and other valuable religious works, have been distributed. 
They have been most gratefully received, and, we doubt 
not, profitably perused. 

Navy "Work. 
Having in charge the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where 
most of our Government Ships come and go — thus afford- 
ing a vast field for Christian labor — we have distributed 
a large amount of reading matter, including volumes of 
great interest, to from thirty to fifty thousand seamen 
and officers. 

Our Constitnency and Co-workers. 
Every church should bear a part in this blessed work. 
Their prayers and contributions are needed. Every 
Sunday-school also might do the same. Already many 
of them have entered upon the work. In the success of 
this great struggle, who are so much interested as our 



34 

cTiildren and youth? Lot them show their interest in 
efforts to comfort and bless those who are sacrificing 
their lives to preserve to them the noblest inheritance 
of Earth. 

Onr Wants. 

We need Delegates. Men of the right stamp; t3ie 
working men of our churches; full of zeal; with tact and 
good common sense; ready to embark for six weeks, or 
more, in this most blessed but self denying work. They 
should come recommended by their pastors. 

We need Funds: not only to use directly in our work, 
but to help forward the great cause, which the Central 
Commission at Philadelphia are prosecuting. Think of 
half a million of men in our Army and Navy, to be 
supplied with Christian influences ! How large an out- 
lay it must require ! 

We need Comfort-Bags and Hotiseioives. These, in 
one sense, are a means of grace. They open the way to 
the heart's sympathies,^ and are a blessed preface to a 
higher ministration. 

We need hooks : Religmis books, of course; but others 
also: all kinds that are instructive, entertaining, and 
useful; such as History, Biography, Travels, and Tale 
of good moral tendency; in fact, just such kind of 
books as intelligent families are accustomed to place in 
their libraries. Illustrated papers and magazines, both 
weekly and monthly, are very much needed. 

We need the prayers of Christians. In vain we labor 
to build the house, except God build it. That he will, 
in answer to prayer, we have no doubt. And hence we 



85 



a.sk the prayers of the good, that "our labor may not b€ 
in vain in the Lord/' 



Business of the Year. 

At a meeting of the Cincinnati Branch of the U. S. 
Christian Commission, held on Tuesday evening at the 
residence of A. E. Chamberlain, Esq., Chairman, a 
report was presented showing the business of the last 
year, of which the following is a summary: 
Cash received .... $48,044 23 
Total expenditures . . . 42,673 62 

Stores donated and purchased . . 170,000 00 

soldiers' reading. 
Copies of Scriptures distributed . , 56,697 

Soldiers' hymn-books . . . 77,204 

Knapsack books , . , . 451,747 

Library books . . . 21.260 

Magazines and pamphlets . . 9,869 

Religious papers . . , 1,145.674 

Secular papers . . . , 46.800 

Pages of tracts . ; , 1,571.921 

Reams of paper . . . . * . 1,6?>3 

Envelopes . . . 289.375 

The total business of the year amounts to over two 
hundred thousand dollars. To disburse this large amount 
hag . cost the Commission about one per cent, of the 
receipts, which is certainly a very economical manage- 
ment. The railroads have carried the delegates and 



86 

nuicli of the freight free; tlie expresf? and telegraph 
corrpanieshave also made very large contributions; thus 
enahling the Commission to devote its entire means 
almost to the soldiers. The Burnet House has enter- 
tained delegates free of charge from the commencement 
cf the war — a very large contribution. The funds of the 
Commission are now low, and an earnest appeal is made 
to the public for help. 



Colont(Io» 

Novel Contributions. 
Mr. E. W. Sinclair, of Central City, Colorado Terri^ 
tory, sends scrip of Wyandett Lode, No. 4, value for 
$500; and by the same mail we receive from Messrs. 
Hucks & Lambert, of San Francisco, an invoice of a 
hundred barrels of Axle Grease to lubricate the ma- 
cliiuery of the Christian Commission. 



THE THANKSGIVING COLLECTION. 

IMany churches have no service on thanksgiving; and 
some have time-honored local charities, which they could 
not well neglect. AYlll such congregations kindly remem- 
ber our brave suffering soldiers and sailors, on the Sab- 
bath after receiving this tract, and send their collections 
at once to the nearest brnnch of the Commission ? See 
list on page 2 of cover. 



roOMATION AND INSTRUCTION ABOUT SUPPLIES. 



An good and suitable stores are welcomed, and all nerespary freight and 
charges paid on them by the Commission, and are distributed by delegates of 
the Christian Commission personally. 

WHAT TO SEND<— Monet, by all means, if possible. We need funds to 
pay the expenses of our delegates and laborers in The field; for the purchase 
of books, tracts, papers, and for the purchase of delicacies and comforts not 
eent bv your loving hearts^ which are very necessary for distribution in the 
hoapitals. 

The Special Diet Kitchens, connected with the largest hospitals, now In suc- 
cessful operation, where delicacies and wholesome dishes are prepared for the 
sick soldier, with the same care and skill as at home, by the ladies employed 
in tiiC Diet Kitchens by the Christian Commissior, involve a large increase of 
laKr and outlay of stores and funds. We appeal to the friends of the soldier 
at home, to meet this great, but necessary expense. 

Coi on Shirts, Cotton Drawers, Canton Flannel .^hirts and Drawers, Surgical 
Shirt.s and Drawers, (with tape strings to tie, instead of seams at the siUes,) 
Largo Cotton Drawers, (to wear in doors as pani.«.) Dressing-Gowns, SHpper.s, 
(if of cloth or carpet, with thick soles,) Sheets. I'illowca.ses, Bed-ticks, (sing e, 
lor filling with straw,) Pillows, Pads for fractured limbs, King-pn'is for 
■wounds, Fans, Netting to protect from flies, Housewives stored with needles, 
thread, buttons, pins, Ac, Handkerchiefs, Wash-rags, Old l>inen. 

Oat-meal, Farina, Corn-starch, Dried Rusk, Jellies, Soda Bi'cuit, Butter 
Crackors. Boston Crackers, Pickles, Jams, Onions in barrels. Apples in barrels, 
Cranberries. Dried Fruits. Eggs are always needed. They should be care- 
fnlly packed in boxes large enough to hold about 10) dozen, made with han« 
dies projecting from each end, made strong and packed full, well shaken 
down as they are packed, and sent by express. Good Black Tea, Chocolate, 
Lemons, Syrups. All preparations of the blackberry are of double value. 

Good Brandy, Madeira Wine, Port Wine, Cordials. Domestic wines are ex- 
cellent in winter, apt to .«poil in summer. 

Stationery is Much needed, paper, envelopes and pencils. Send the best 
Books, Magazines, Periodicals, Pictorials, aud late newspapers. 

HOW TO PACK.— Pack in boxes. Barrels are not as good. Secure well. 
Boxes should not be so large that two cnnnot conveniently lift them iuto a 
■wagon. Pack eatables by themselves. Never pack perishable articles, such 
as oranges, lemon.s, bread, cakes, nor jars of jellies and jams, with other 
goods. Bottles and Jars should, when possible, be packed in boxes by them- 
Helves, well filled with sawdust or straw,. Never pack Clothing, or Dried 
Fruits and Berries, with goods that are liable to break and spill. Tin can.« 
ehould be soldered; all other modes fail. Stone jats should be corked and 
firmly bound with oiled linen or leather over the cork, and packed closely in 
eaw-dust or hay, in boxes, never exceeding a dozen and a half in a box, and 
nailed strongly, to bear rough handling. Jellies in tumblers, covered with 
paper, and wines, cordials, Ac, in bottles, with paper or other poor stoppers, 
are liable to spill out, and if packed with other things, sure to iujure them. 

HOW TO MARK.—Mark in plain letters and figures, with paint or ink on 
the boards— cards rub otT. On one corner, the number of the box, according 
to the number .sent by you in all, numbering your first box *1, your second *2, 
your third *3. and so on from the first sent to the last. On another corner, 
mark each box, as from your Society, giving the name, and h.^ve it conspicu- 
ously addressed to the Most convenie t bran'ch of THE U. S. CHRISTIAN 
COMMISSION, AS directed on the next page. 

To secure acknowledgments, and to save trouble, also send an invoice or list 
by mail, on paper, the common letter sheet .size, written only on one .side, 
epecifying each barrel or box by number, and giving the contents of each by 
Itself. Give your own name and Post-office in full, with the name of your 
State. Place also another list or invoice of the same kind in the boi, under 
the lid. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

RHODl IIB^^ ■ 

013 764 077 Jb^^™ 

llniled States Christian Commission, 



The Rhode Island Committee of the United States 
Christian Commission earnestly commends to the pastors 
and congregations of the State the appeal of the Christian 
Commission, and most respectfully suggests that it be 
read in all the churches on the Sabbath next preceding 
Thanksgiving Day, and that the people be invited to 
make a liberal thank-oifering, on that day, for this noble 
object. 

If in any churches the proposed collection should 
interfere with the customary Thanksgiving collection for 
the poor, the pastor might, at his discretion, take up a 
collection for this cause on some succeeding Sabbath. 

WM. J. KING, 
W. W. HOPPIN, 
J. C. KNIGHT, 
J. KINGSBURY, 
J. W. VERNON, 

Committee. 



